10 Easy Cocktails to Make at Home

Ina said it best this week, “In a crisis, any hour can be cocktail hour!” which is why I’m rounding up 10 easy cocktails to make at home. 

Frozen Aperol Spritz 

This time of year no matter if I’m stuck at home or not, I’m craving summer and this is summer in a cup.

If you live somewhere warm, take a pitcher of these frozen Aperol spritzes to the backyard and make an afternoon of it. They’re made with Aperol, frozen orange juice, and prosecco. 

Substitutes:
If you don’t have any orange juice, or don’t want to wait for it to freeze you can add in 1/2 cup of regular orange juice (or any juice) and a large handful of frozen fruit like peaches or strawberries. 

 

Rosè Sangria with Peaches and Strawberries

I’d bet you $10 that you probably have everything to make this sangria in your fridge/alcohol stash. If you don’t have the peaches and strawberries, add in any fruit you have, fresh or frozen. Also, if rosè is your jam, you will love this easy sangria recipe. 

Substitutes
Add in any fruit you have, it doesn’t have to be peaches or strawberries! If you don’t have any rosè, white wine will also work! The recipe calls for raspberry or orange liquor but if you don’t have it, just add a bit more sweetener. 

Classic Pitcher Margaritas

I’ve made margaritas three times already this week, so I don’t blame if you want to slurp down an ice-cold, tarty, crisp margarita. This is my ‘old faithful’ recipe for making margaritas for a crowd. Feel free to put your own spin on it. I love adding pineapple juice, pomegranate juice or sparkly water for an extra touch. 

Substitutes 
If you don’t have any agave on hand, you can make a simple syrup. Just boil down 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water until clear. 

Charred Pineapple and Jalapeno Mezcal Margaritas

These are like a margaritas spicy cousin. This is the kind of tequila drink I love to order at a restaurant, so treat yourself to something nice. This cocktail is muddled with fresh pineapple, jalapeno, and mezcal. It’s spicy, sassy, and hits you right where you need it. 

Substitutes 
If you don’t have any mezcal, sub in your favorite tequila. If you don’t have any fresh pineapple you can just use canned juice #timesaretough 

Spiced Honey Orange Cocktails

This cocktail has very simple ingredients but feels SO fancy. It’s made with fresh orange juice, fresh lemon juice and a rich honey infused vodka but if you don’t have any it’s okay, regular vodka will also work just add in a bit more honey for flavor. 

Substitutes 
Sub in any vodka or gin you have on hand!

Frozen Mango Margaritas with Chili Rims

I don’t know about you guys but I am a SUCKER for a cocktail with a chili rim. Talk about a flavor boost. Bust out that bottle of tajin you have and get to rimming for these sweet, frozen mango margaritas. 

Substitutes 
If you don’t have any frozen mango, any frozen fruit will do. Frozen pineapple chunks would be my next best addition!

Apple Cider Whiskey Rose

We served these at a Friendsgiving last year and there is something so simple, and crisp about them. If you’re a whiskey girl, these are for you.

Simply made with whiskey, homemade rosemary simple syrup, and hard apple cider. They will keep you nice and warm if you know what I mean. 

Substitutes 
If you don’t have any rosemary you can use thyme, dried rosemary or just leave it out and make a regular simple syrup. 

Grapefruit Moscow Mules

All my vodka girls, this one’s for you. I love a classic mule and this one is just a bit more fruity with grapefruit for an extra kick!

Break out those copper mugs if you got em, just because we’re in quarantine doesn’t mean we can’t be fancy. 

Substitutes 
If you don’t have any gingerbeer you can 100% just use ginger ale! 

Blood Orange Margaritas 

These are my all-time favorite margaritas. If you manage to have some blood orange still, MAKE THESE! You will not regret it. 

Substitutes 
If you don’t have blood oranges, tangerines and grapefruits will also give you a nice flavor. 

Strawberry Peach Frosè

This is one of those cocktails I could drink all afternoon long in the sunshine and not get tired of it. It’s light, fruity, frozen and tastes like an adult wine slushy. 

Substitutes 
The recipe calls for a little bit of limoncello but if you don’t have it you can use orange liquor, triple sec, or just leave it out. Raspberries and blueberries would also work.